The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-01-14
"REMINISCENCES 0FTnE WAR.

"REMINISCENCES OFTlIE WAR.
A Tru. History OF Gen. AIilroJ's Defense OF
Winchester, virginia, inJunc, 1868.
ny GEN. II. 3. SoRTHcoTr.
ASH was an .c!ive participant in Gen.
cral Milroy's bate at Winchester, Va,
on the 18Th, 14tl and 18Th Of June, 1868,
/ will give your readears what deem q
correct history OF the came. am on.
abled to do this from having been contin'
uously engaged in it and being an eye
yitress 10 the most important movements
of both the Union and Confederate
soldiers, and also from having compared
notes with my brothers who occupied the
ground surrounding Winchester, aud
Give YOU this account not from memory,
but from manuscript: written by myself
shortly after while coniiued in Libby
prison.
From tho lst OF January, 1868, to the
period OF the battle Winchester had been
held by The Federas and garrisoned by q
portion OF the Second Division OF the
Eighth Army Corps, commanded by
Major. Gernral Mil!oy. During the winter
and spring many fsints were made In the
direction Of Winchester by the rebels, bu,
generally by small accommodating or scout.
ing nc,ties. The remainder Of General
NIilroy's division. consisting OF three regi'
ments and = battery OF artillery, WIS sta
toned ct Berryville, q email village ten
Inilea east OF Winchester. This force was
also kept on the alert by tho rebel scouts.
There had been such number OF ieints
on Winchester and BeIryville that the
Union forces had almost ceased to sppre.
bend any serious demonstration on the
part OF the enemy. Indeed 1t WIS thought
the rebels would not try any more to re.
poasess Winchester.
On Monday evening the 9Th, OF June,
company OF the First Michigan Cavalry
from the Army OF tho Potomac, appeared
in Winchester, having made grand and
daring reconnaissance from Culpepper
Court House TO that place. The captain
Of this company brought information that
heavy cavalry force under General
Stewart had commenced raid in the
direction of tho Baltimore 4; Ohio Rail
road, and would probably pay Winches.
ter visit. This caused 10 apprehension
as the Federal position WIS deemed i'm
pregnnble against cavalry attack, it mat
tered not what the force might be. Gem
eral Mllroy in order to prevent surprise,
kept tho surrounding country we'll
secuted. On the evening OF the lob,
various ruclorB OF the approach OF q rebel
force were brought in by ci.,zsDs and
ecouts. Additional plckets were cent out
and Il detachment OF infantry and Sec
ton OF the Washington Battery OF the
OF the Fifth U. S. Artillery were placed
in petition OH IN ernirence about one
mile scu.h oi Winchester and remained
there daring the night. This was to
guard against surprise. No attack how
ever, w&s made, and on the 18th no
definite Information in regard to the
movement or the number OF the enemy
near us could DO obtained. Their force
was generally believed 10 be small, and it
WAS supposed had entered tho valley Of
Virginia only for the purpose OF foragirg.
On the 18th, the Eighty.seventh Penn
sylvania Infantry, two companies OF the
Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and q
small body OF artillery under command OF
Colonel Schall, OF the Eighty-aeventh
Pennsylvania, were ordered on recon-
noiosance in the direction OF Strasburg.
When this force hRd advanced half mile
beyond NeTtown, a village eight miles
south OF Winchester, Colonel S:hall learn
ed that large cavalry force was advancing
30 Ea to meet him. He Immediately dis
posed Of his infantry and artillery so as
to make them tho most available, and
then sent his cavalry in advance with
orders to fire on the rebels as coon as they
cano near enough and then retreat to the
infantry. This plan succeeded admirably,
tor the rebel cavalry being eager in the
pursuit. was led into the ambush prepared
for them before they were aware OF it.
Above thirty OF them were brought from
their saddles ut the first fire. They fled in
the utmost CONSERVATION, leaving sixty-
one Of their number killed, wounded and
captured.
information had been received that
day in Winchester which led to appre-
henaion that large force was approach
ing, but still nothing Of positive nature
had been sscertsined. In order to be-
prepared for any emergency General
Milroy ordered 81! the tents 10 be struck
and with the baggage to be laden In
wagons before morning. Tho infantry
and artillery force before mentioned were
ordered to their position OF the night pre-
vious, but the morning camo and nil re-
mained quiet. No enemy appearing, it
was thought that tho report Of their ap-
proach was unfounded, and there would
be no attack. Some OF tho regiments re-
pitched their tents, and officers and sol.
dierp commenced their usual routine of
duties, but the sceno soon changed-the
day which opened so calmly and quiet
was destined to witness the shedding OF
blood "ere set Of sum-"
Colonel Keller, OF tho Ooe Hundred
and Tenth Ohio Infantry, waa ordered
early On the morning Of tho 18th to take
mis- own regiment, the Ono Hundred and
TGenty-th!rd Ohio Infantry, detach-
ment OF the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry,
and Captain @. W. Whites command,
consisting Of two companies OF tho Third
West Virginia Cavalry, and make a recon.
noisarcs in the direction OF Strasburg.
He had not proceeded more than two
miles when he learned that the rebels
were approaching in largeforce. He halted,
!. and taking favorable petition, sent the
intelligence which he had received to
General Milroy, who, about the time that
Colonel keiter's messenger arrived, re-
ceived the further information that still
another large force was approaching on
the Front Royal road. Colonel Keller
was ordered to retain the eligible position
which he had chosen on the Stra,burg
road, and tho Eighty.seven,h Penna.,
tho Fifth Maryland, tho Eighteenth Con.
necticut and Washington Battery were
ordered into position on the Front Royal
road, two miles southeast Of Winchester.
Tho Twelfth West Virginia Infantry and
/ Captain Carlin,a (Wheelingl Battery were
ordered to Join Colonel Keller.
About 10 O'Clock A. N. caunonading
commenced between the Washington
Battery and rebel artillery, and spir-
tied artillery duel was kept up for Two
hours. In the meantime the rebel infant
~ coming in range Of ours, a very brisk
engagement took place, which lasted for